Improvement on the properties of polylactic acid (PLA) using bamboo charcoal particles

Bamboo charcoal (BC) derived from bamboo plants is one kind of well recognized multi-functional materials which has been used in various applications such as medical, cosmetic, food processing and health-related products. In this paper, BC particle is used as reinforcement for polylactic acid (PLA) to enhance its mechanical, thermal and optical properties. The comparison on tensile, flexural and impact properties of BC particle reinforced PLA composites (BC/PLA composites) with the content ranging from 2.5 to 10 wt.% is conducted. Experimental results indicated that the maximum tensile strength, flexural strength and ductility index (DI) of BC/PLA composites increased by 43%, 99% and 52%, respectively as compared with those of neat PLA. This phenomenon was attributed to the uniform distribution of high aspect ratio and surface area of BC particles. Further increasing the BC content to 7.5 wt.% would decrease the glass transition temperature of BC/PLA composites. The mechanical properties of BC/PLA composites were reduced as compared with a neat PLA sample when they were exposed to compost degradation. However, less reduction in these properties was found when they were subject to UV irradiation. UV–Vis spectrometer analysis supported the results of UV irradiation. Fracture surfaces of tensile test samples with and without compost degradation or UV irradiation were analysed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images revealed that there was a good BC particle dispersion in the composites through extrusion and injection moulding processes if the particle content was below 7.5 wt.%.